We are going this weekend on our second trip with the organization Witness for Peace. The focus of this trip is to SEE and LIVE in the Indigenous villages here and to EXPERIENCE some of their poverty. Oaxaca and Chiapas (directly to the south) are the two poorest states in Mexico. We had a two hour meeting about the trip yesterday and have another today, and another focus is going to be on the migration.
The plan is to divide our big 'ol group into two smaller ones. One group will go to Teotitlan de Valle. The other will go to La Mixteca (San Jose Se Sol ... I think that's the name). I'm going to La Mixteca. Both are small, isolated villages of Indigenous people that speak Mixtec or Zapotec (en Teotitlan).
Here's the AMERICAN GRINGA point of view....
We leave tomorrow morning at 10:30 and get back Sunday night. All of which time we will not be allowed to shower because of the shortage of water. We will be living 3-4 people per home and will be sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags. There will very likely be even MORE mosquitos, cockroaches, and who knows what other kind of bug lol. We are bringing to each home the food we will be eating....a bag with tortillas, beans, and rice....a few eggs. Probably no meat, and we aren't allowed to bring snacks because we can't eat them in front of the people (wouldn't that be horribe?). La Mixteca has less access to water so the bathrooms have no water. We will either have to wash down our waste by hand...with a bucket of water (use "fuerza!" they said), or it will be like an outhouse. We were told to bring an absolute minimum....one change of clothes. There will be very little privacy to change. I need stronger bug spray lol.
Here's my OTHER BETTER point of view....
I'm really, really excited. I think that it's important to be able to see the poverty that we are learning about. I'm really interested in learning about the Indigenous communities....well....about seeing what we've learned. I want to hear their language. And I'm excited to "rough it." I just hope I don't get lice or ticks. Apparantly last year when they went to Chiapas (we are going in November) almost every got bugs. I can't remember what kind. I'm excited to communicate (in various methods) with the people and play with the ninos (=. We are going to help with a community project....I think a water line. And besides that our schedule is much in the hands of the village. They are going to show us what they do and how they live. Teach us about their type of government se llama "Usos y Costumbres" or "El Sistema de Cargos." We're supposed to learn to make baskets (=. And the specialidad of Teotitlan is tapetas, or tapestries, but I think the specialidad de este pueblo en La Mixteca is gorras (hats), ponchos....cosas como esta. Con lana (wool). But I'm not sure. I'll find out!
Anyway. I can't wait. I'll tell you ALL about it (=. Much love to all.
Que tengan un buen fin de semana! (that everyone has a good weekend...nice use of subjunctive huh?)
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